Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024) | IMDb
In 2005, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt modified the cultural landscape after they co-starred in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. This notoriously led to Brad leaving Jennifer Aniston for Angelina in some of the famous celebrity relationship scandals. But the on-screen story was nearly as impactful. It tells the story of a husband and wife who each lead a secret life as a spy, unbeknownst to one another.
As their story is told through couples counseling sessions, we see that regardless of how outrageous an individual’s secrets are, honesty is all the time one of the best policy. While the movie had its fair proportion of negative reviews for the overabundance of motion, little character development, and predictable story, Brad and Angelina’s chemistry took over as Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s centerpiece. Now, a Prime Video series is aiming to copy that with Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. With that, there are many similarities and differences between the OG film and the 2024 series.
Difference: Casting and Genre
Donald is thought for starring in and creating Atlanta, in addition to several of his roles in comedic projects like Community and 30 Rock. Maya Erskine is most well-known for starring in and creating Pen15, so this series went in a little bit of a special direction than the unique film. Instead of casting dreamy motion stars, Prime Video is leaning into the creative minds and comedic stylings of Donald and Maya.
This difference creates a completely different focus within the genre of the series. While the unique focused more on the motion and romance side of the couple’s relationship, the reboot leans into the comedy. Because of Donald and Maya’s timing and comedic expertise, there are laugh-out-loud moments absent from the unique film.
Similarity: The Mysterious Spy Organization
In the film and the series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith each work for mysterious spy organizations. The big bosses behind these organizations remain secret until the top. While the organizations remain off-screen more often than not, they’re like gods looming over the protagonists. Jane and John Smith’s fates are of their bosses’ hands. But the person (or people) behind the organizations remain anonymous, making us wonder if Jane and John are on the side of fine or evil.
Difference: The Premise
In the film, Jane and John Smith get married to 1 one other as a canopy, but neither knows the opposite is a spy. However, within the Prime Video series, they are literally in an arranged marriage by the organization. In a way, it’s the other of the unique premise. While Angelina and Brad’s Smiths met organically (on a mission), Donald and Maya’s Smiths are forced to live and work together as a spy husband and wife. Ideally, through their jobs, the hope is that they’ll fall into an organic real relationship. The only secrets they’ve are about their past — who were they of their past lives before they took on the identities of Jane and John Smith?
Similarity: Action and Romance Are in Abundance
It’s hard to genuinely mix motion and romance without feeling like a forced James Bond male savior moment. But in each the film and the series, motion and romance are devices through which to view their relationship. In the series, as their skilled relationship grows, so does their personal relationship. Love and work develop into intertwined as heavy motion sequences showcase how Mr. and Mrs. Smith fight for one another each figuratively and literally.
Difference: The Underlying Message
The Mr. and Mrs. Smith movie was a transparent analogy for working through marital problems. A husband and wife each have secrets. When they first learn the reality, they’re furious. But eventually, the reality brings them closer together.
The series takes a rather more complex perspective on what relationships are and the way they may be formed. In 2024, dating apps are the number a technique people meet their spouses, and Prime Video’s series treats the spy organization like a dating app. But as two individuals are “matched,” they have to learn how you can live with each other and perhaps even find love through the danger. But in doing so, they query in the event that they’re compatible long-term and if it’s love or just circumstance. It’s a rather more nuanced take a look at relationships that may’t simply be solved by “being honest” in an age where dating apps and situationships are king.
For those that didn’t vibe with the unique Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the Prime Video reboot is unquestionably different enough between its casting, humor, and perspective, that it’s value a watch regardless.
